Unless you closely read the ingredients label, you probably have no idea that the beverage you’re drinking might contain brominated vegetable oil (BVO). But pretty soon, it won’t.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has moved to ban the additive, often used in beverages, after determining it is no longer safe. The agency cites studies that show the accumulation of bromine can have adverse effects on humans, in particular on the thyroid gland.
BVO is a vegetable oil that is modified with bromine. The FDA authorized it for use in small amounts to keep the citrus flavoring from separating and floating to the top of some beverages.
In fact, in 1970 BVO lost its “Generally Recognized as Safe” (GRAS) status. After that, many beverage manufacturers reformulated their products to replace BVO with an alternative ingredient. According to the FDA, few beverages in the U.S. still contain BVO.
“The FDA prioritizes its review of chemicals in food based on risk, science, and regulatory authority,” said James Jones, the FDA’s deputy commissioner for Human Foods. “Although BVO has a long history of use in foods and was at one time considered GRAS, we have continued to study it to understand any potential health impacts.”
Jones says recent toxicology studies conducted in collaboration with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) have provided conclusive scientific evidence to support the removal of the FDA’s food additive authorization for BVO.
Photo Credit: Consumer Affairs News Department Images
Posted: 2023-11-03 14:33:37